Ime Okon joins Hannover 96 on Four-Year Deal
German club Hannover 96 have signed young defender Ime Okon from SuperSport United on a four-year contract.
The 21-year-old, who is eligible to play for both South Africa and Nigeria, joins the two-time Bundesliga champions as a free agent after his contract in South Africa ended. He had previously gone on trial with clubs like FC Midtjylland in Denmark and Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine, but it was Hannover who made the move to bring him to Germany.
Aiming for Bundesliga Promotion
Okon joins Hannover with the clear aim of helping the team return to the Bundesliga, after they narrowly missed out on promotion last season.
Speaking to the club’s website, Hannover’s Managing Director, Marcus Mann, said:
“Ime is a player with great potential and strong physical qualities. We’ve been watching him for a while and gathered good scouting data.
“Of course, he’ll need time to adapt, but he’s eager to learn and grow. We believe he can develop very well here.”
Okon Excited for New Chapter
Okon also shared his excitement about the move:
“I’m very happy to sign for Hannover 96. I’m looking forward to this new challenge in Germany. I want to improve as a player and grow as a person.
“I’m a quick and strong defender, and I hope to use these skills to help the team.”
International Allegiance: Bafana Bafana Over Super Eagles
Although born in Johannesburg to a Nigerian father, Okon has made it clear that he considers himself South African first, even though he’s proud of both sides of his heritage.
He recently made his international debut for Bafana Bafana in the 2025 COSAFA Cup and has spoken openly about his decision.
“South Africa is all I know. I grew up here. I don’t speak much of the Nigerian language, but I know my roots.
“Playing for Bafana has always been a dream – my mum used to say, ‘One day, Bafana Bafana!’ So to wear the jersey is a big deal for me and my family.”
While many Nigerian fans had hoped he might one day choose the Super Eagles, it appears Okon’s future is firmly tied to South Africa.
With a fresh start in Germany and international football already under his belt, Ime Okon’s next chapter looks promising.
